Week 13 was action-packed. Three games on Thanksgiving. One more on Friday. All 32 teams in action for the first time since Week 8.

And all that action sent shockwaves across the NFL.

The Detroit Lions won their 10th straight game and have their best record in franchise history. The Buffalo Bills pummeled the defending NFC champions on the way to the AFC East title. The Kansas City Chiefs scraped out another win...just barely. And in arguably the biggest game of the week, the Philadelphia Eagles and their defense made a statement in downing the Ravens in Baltimore.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers bounced back from Week 12 wins to stay in the thick of the postseason race in the AFC. The Houston Texans are hardly rolling, but they have a big lead in the AFC South.

And the NFC South and NFC West have become quagmires—tightly packed divisions that may not be decided until the last weekend of the regular season.

Week 13 put the league's pecking order through a blender like a leftover turkey smoothie, and just as they have every week, Bleacher Report NFL Analysts Gary Davenport, Kristopher Knox, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski have come together to totally not drink that and rank the league's teams from worst to first.

Both the bottom five and top five saw some shakeup this week.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10)

Last Week: 32

Week 13 Result: Lost vs. Houston 23-20

Things just get better and better for the 2024 Jaguars.

After several weeks without quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the Jags got him back in Week 13—only to see him leave the game after taking a vicious shot from Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair that got Al-Shaair ejected.

The hit sparked a brawl, and Jaguars edge-rusher Josh Hines-Allen, who knows a thing or two about rushing the passer, told reporters that Al-Shaair should have known better than to lead with his helmet like that.

"That was a dumb hit on his (Al-Shaair's) part," Hines-Allen said. "... At the end of the day he's just playing football, but again, the way we've changed the rules of how we play, we go over these things. We talk about these things. We know how to play football. A couple of years ago, that would've been a great hit, but now that wasn't a good play on him. I am not going to sit up there and say, does he deserve to get suspended or not? That's not my call at that moment. It wasn't smart."

Analyst's Take

The concussion suffered by quarterback Trevor Lawrence, courtesy of a vicious and illegal hit by Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, should unofficially signal the end of the Jaguars season. Lawrence's health remains at the forefront, with no reason whatsoever for Jacksonville to play him from this point forward. Furthermore, the Jags currently own the No. 1 overall pick for the 2025 NFL draft. Lawrence sitting followed by the team finishing out a massively disappointing season could prove beneficial for whoever is leading the franchise next year. -- Sobleski

31. New York Giants (2-10)

Last Week: 31

Week 13 Result: Lost at Dallas 27-20

The New York Giants are officially a hot mess.

This is hardly news—Thursday's loss in Dallas was New York's seventh in a row. The G-Men have no quarterback. The offensive line is bad. The defense isn't much better and will be without defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence for multiple weeks. And Brian Daboll has gone from the 2022 Coach of the Year to the hot seat—at least in the opinion of Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports.

"He already got the 'vote of confidence' for the rest of the season and an almost-promise that he wouldn't be fired in the offseason," he wrote. But anyone who saw the look on owner John Mara's face Thursday as the Giants (2-10) were embarrassing themselves in a 27-20 loss in Dallas knows that 'vote' is subject to a recount. Mara has proven to be a very reactionary owner over the last decade and the Giants are just piling up disastrous losses right now. Worse, Daboll—hired in large part because of his offensive prowess—has now failed to generate any offense at all with three different quarterbacks. They've lost seven straight games now and have hit the 20-point mark only twice."

Analyst's Take

The No. 1 priority for the Giants in the offseason will be addressing the quarterback position, but this may be a team headed for a ground-up rebuild under a new regime. With each passing week, New York's surprise playoff run in 2022 looks more and more like a fluke. Daboll's hold on the Giants locker room appears tenuous at best, and New York has major problems on both sides of the ball. Blowing things up may well be the best course of action. -- Davenport

30. Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)

Last Week: 30

Week 13 Result: Lost at Kansas City 19-17

It has been that kind of year for the Las Vegas Raiders.

In many respects, the Raiders outplayed the two-time defending champs on Friday. The Raiders outgained the Chiefs by a wide margin. Aidan O'Connell threw for 340 yards and two scores with a passer rating of 116.4.

But with Vegas driving for a potential game-winning field goal, a botched snap was recovered by Kansas City, sending the Raiders to their eighth straight defeat.

After the loss, embattled head coach Antonio Pierce talked up his team's fight in the postgame presser—even if Vegas didn't get the result they wanted.

"These guys battled until the very end, until the clock hit zero," Pierce said. "They believed we were going to win and fought their (butts) off to the very end. All phases contributed to help us get in that position, but Aiden did hell of a job. He stayed in the pocket, made big-time throws for us, pushed the ball down the field. The numbers say what they're going to say. I'm proud of my team, our team. I'm proud of the fight. We came up short yet again against the world champs. Twice now."

Analyst's Take

The Raiders played well enough to beat the Chiefs last Friday, but their poor execution in a critical moment revealed one of the reasons they have lost eight consecutive games. In fairness, quarterback Aidan O'Connell, who had been out of action since Week 7 because of a broken thumb, took the blame for the botched snap. O'Connell had a career day against the Chiefs, throwing for 340 yards and two touchdowns. He has five weeks to play himself into a primary backup role in Las Vegas or draw interest from quarterback-needy teams in the offseason. -- Moton

29. Tennessee Titans (3-9)

Last Week: 27

Week 13 Result: Lost at Washington 42-19

After stunning the Houston Texans last week, the Tennessee Titans appeared to be building a little momentum.

It all vanished in a puff of blah in the nation's capital in Week 13.

You name it, it went wrong for the Titans. Tennessee was held under 250 total yards of offense and turned the ball over twice. Tennessee's defense played arguably its worst game of 2024, surrendering 463 yards of offense and 29 first downs.

After the loss, Titans head coach Brian Callahan allowed to reporters that he didn't expect his team to roll over like that against Washington.

"It's crushing to be honest. Improvement's not always linear, but I didn't think we were going to look like that today," Callahan said. "I'm disappointed in that. I'm disappointed in myself. I thought we were making some strides and we could come play good against a good football team on the road again and we just didn't do that."

Cornerback Darrell Baker Jr. was even more blunt.

"Honestly, man, it's embarrassing," Baker said. "You just don't know what's going wrong sometimes. You're locked into your side and you don't know what happens on the other side. It's like, 'Dang, what happened?' It gets frustrating."

Analyst's Take

Will Levis has shown improvement over the past month, but his accuracy still has highs and lows. Last week, he completed less than 50 percent of his passes as Tennessee fell behind by four scores in the second quarter. He's not the only issue with this three-win team, but the Titans clearly need a quarterback who will uplift the club. Levis isn't that guy. -- Moton

28. New York Jets (3-9)

Last Week: 25

Week 13 Result: Lost vs. Seattle 26-21

It has become a weekly occurrence. Aaron Rodgers doesn't play anything like a four-time MVP quarterback, the New York Jets lose and then afterward the 41-year-old does his best to make sure everyone realizes it's not his fault the Jets may actually be worse than last year's team.

"Well, there are 11 guys on the field," Rodgers told reporters in the Week 13 edition of "Why Gang Green is Gangrenous." "Sometimes it's my fault. Definitely multiple times today. And then the details aren't there in some other spots, too."

It has reached the point where many expect the Jets to bench the quarterback who was supposed to save the team—and Rodgers really didn't sound like he'd mind.

"Yeah, I don't know. We'll figure that out when we have those conversations," Rodgers said. "I'll have a conversation with (interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich) if that's what he's thinking."

It's been a year.

Analyst's Take

Like most bad teams, the Jets find ways to lose games. Last week, they committed 12 penalties that cost them 83 yards, but Aaron Rodgers looks like he's headed toward a rapid decline. Last week, he completed just 54 percent of his passes; that's the third time this season he's finished a game with a completion rate below 60 percent. Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich had to answer questions about Rodgers' job security, which indicates the 41-year-old signal-caller's time as a starter in New York could end soon. -- Moton

27. New England Patriots (3-10)

Last Week: 29

Week 13 Result: Lost vs. Indianapolis 25-24

It's becoming a weekly thing in New England.

Rookie quarterback Drake Maye plays well—against the Colts, Maye completed 24 of 30 passes for 238 yards and a score—but due to a lack of weapons around him and miscues on both sides of the ball, the Patriots come up short, leaving head coach Jerod Mayo talking about looking at film and identifying the problem.

Sunday's last-second loss to Indianapolis was New England's third straight and fourth in five games. Cue Mayo while speaking to reporters after the game.

"I'm going to go back and watch the film. It's ultimately execution at that point in the game," Mayo said. "We just have to do a better job executing."

For his part, Maye said he needs to play better.

"I thought we ran the ball up until we got to the goal line pretty well," Maye said. "I think in the passing game, I think maybe get through my progression. It was tough down there. It was tight. Tight windows. Tight throws. I have to give our guys some chances. I think that's probably the biggest thing. And penalties—I think one of them was penalties. We got back into, like, a first-and-goal from the 20. Just can't settle for four field goals in the red zone and expect to win ball games."

Analyst's Take

Once again, Drake Maye looked a special talent, while everything around him continued to be a letdown. The rookie quarterback has all of the traits to be a long-term top-10 quarterback. He completed 80 percent of his passes Sunday against the Colts and made multiple plays with his feet. But the Patriots couldn't muster enough to stop the Colts and find a fourth win. Still, Maye is shouldering most of the offense, which portends future success when surrounded by better talent. -- Sobleski

26. Cleveland Browns (3-9)

Last Week: 28

Week 13 Result: Lost at Denver 41-32

When Jameis Winston became the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, he told reporters he wasn't going to change anything about how he goes about his business:

"I'm not a guy that hangs on the fence. I'm going to be out in the front, out in the open, and I'm going to be who I am every single day. One of my greatest traits is being authentic, and I think my teammates respect that. Nothing is going to change in here besides a new quarterback."

Winston wasn't lying, because what we saw Monday night in Denver was the best and worst of the 30-year-old.

The best was a franchise-record 497 passing yards and four touchdowns, his big arm making accurate throws down the field and connecting with Jerry Jeudy nine times for 235 yards and a touchdown.

The worst was three interceptions, including two that were returned for touchdowns.

The Browns may well not have been in this game without Winston, but they may well have lost it because of him.

Analyst's Take

This is Winston in a nutshell. The only quarterback to ever throw 30 touchdown passes and 30 interceptions in the same season. He has an arm like a cannon and can shred a defense. But he's also prone to lapses in judgment that result in turnovers. He has five more games to show why he should be Cleveland's QB next year (pulling him for Dorian Thompson would be dumb). But this performance didn't help his cause despite the gaudy stats. --Davenport

25. New Orleans Saints (4-8)

Last Week: 23

Week 13 Result: Lost vs. Los Angeles Rams 21-14

It's bad enough that the New Orleans lost a heartbreaker to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday and that there will be no playoffs in the Big Easy this year. But injury was also added to insult.

Tight end Taysom Hill has been a critical part of the Saints offense this year. When Hill left the game with what is believed to be a serious knee injury, Saints quarterback Derek Carr told reporters it was every bit as devastating as losing the game.

"It's the worst. I don't know anything, y'all probably know more than me," Carr said. "Just as a brother and as a friend, because it's bigger than football at that moment. You know, his family, his kids, his wife, you know, everybody. And your heart just breaks. (Rams) Coach (Sean) McVay, (was) heartbroken for him. (Matthew) Stafford walks up talking to me, you know, heartbroken for him. In that moment, it kind of pauses the game part of it and the competitiveness, and you just feel for someone, especially like that."

Analyst's Take

Taysom Hill's injury is the latest blow to a Saints team that simply refuses to give up on the 2024 season. I don't think the immediate future in New Orleans is particularly bright—Derek Carr probably isn't a long-term answer, and the 2025 cap situation is horrendous—but the Saints aren't rolling over for anyone under interim coach Darren Rizzi.

It's probably too late for the Saints to make a playoff push, especially if Hill misses extended time, but New Orleans can't be viewed as an easy win. -- Knox

24. Carolina Panthers (3-9)

Last Week: 26

Week 13 Result: Lost vs. Tampa Bay 26-23 (OT)

There's good news and bad news for the Carolina Panthers.

The bad news is that for the second straight week, the Panthers lost a close game to a playoff contender. And after squandering a lead in the final minute Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Panthers are assured a seventh consecutive losing season.

The good news is that over the past month, the Panthers haven't been the tomato can they were last year and earlier this season. Carolina gave first Kansas City and then Tampa all they could handle.

After being benched earlier this season, second-year quarterback Bryce Young has been vastly improved in recent weeks, throwing for nearly 300 yards against the Buccaneers. But while speaking to reporters, Young was quick to credit the Carolina coaching staff and the players around him.

"Just getting more comfortable in the system," Young said. "Coach is doing a great job of calling really good things, installing good things throughout the week. I trust him, I trust the system and just sticking to that. And also, just the players around. O-line, everyone up front is doing a great job. Receivers getting open. It's not just me."

Analyst's Take

The Carolina Panthers feel dramatically different than they did in September and October. Carolina has lost two straight games in excruciatingly close fashion, but for the first time in a long time, its future feels bright.

Bryce Young is starting to look like the real deal, and the Panthers have discovered a scrappy identity under head coach Dave Canales. Carolina has already won one more game than it did a year ago, and the Panthers are performing well enough to play spoiler over the final five weeks. -- Knox

23. Chicago Bears (4-8)

Last Week: 22

Week 13 Result: Lost at Detroit 23-20

The clock has struck midnight for Bears head coach Matt Eberflus.

Actually, it struck midnight after it struck 0:00 in Detroit.

After Chicago's comeback bid in Detroit was thwarted by arguably the worst clock management sequence in recent memory, the Bears fired Eberflus, who was 14-32 in two-plus seasons as Chicago's head coach.

The Bears didn't have much choice—per Adam Jahns and Dianna Russini of the Athletic, Thursday's meltdown was the final straw in Chicago's locker room.

"Guys were furious," one staff member said. "It was an accumulation of this season."

"The locker room was ugly," another staffer said. "There was a lot of yelling."

Said one Bears player: "We felt as players it's been too many instances where we fought our way back into games to lose because of bad time management and decision-making."

Analyst's Take

The end of Thursday's loss was almost comically bad—the Bears had a timeout but still somehow managed to squander the last half-minute of a three-point game. The reality is that Eberflus was a poor choice from the start, and his selection of Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator this year was a disaster.

Now, Thomas Brown has received his second promotion in a month, from passing-game coordinator of offensive coordinator to interim head coach. It's rather unlikely that Brown will keep that last job past the end of the season, although given Chicago's young quarterback and a relatively talented roster, the Bears should be a fairly appealing gig.

Chicago needs a young offensive mind who can develop Williams—and the search for that guy should start immediately. -- Davenport

22. Dallas Cowboys (5-7)

Last Week: 24

Week 13 Result: Won vs. New York Giants 27-20

At this point, Thursday's win over a bad Giants team isn't going to save a disappointing season for the Dallas Cowboys. With quarterback Dak Prescott lost for the season, the Cowboys aren't getting anywhere near the Super Bowl that has eluded team owner Jerry Jones for three decades.

The biggest question in Big D now is likely whether head coach Mike McCarthy will return in 2025. While appearing on 105.3 The Fan, Jones sounded like a man inclined to retain the veteran head coach, who is 47-32 over four-plus years in Dallas.

"Not only did Tom Brady talk about what an outstanding coach he is. On Monday Night Football, Troy Aikman spent time on that broadcast talking about how an outstanding coach Mike McCarthy is for the Cowboys. There's no question. He is a proven Super Bowl coach. He is an outstanding coach. He's got a great way with people. I know that. I'm one of the people he deals with," Jones said. "The bottom line is that he's the entire package. I know there was criticism out there. We all do. He is used to that, but, make no mistake about it, Mike has such detail. He is very innovative in his approach to communication with players and his staff. He is good to work with. I haven't ever been associated with a coach that wasn't good to work with. That's never been an issue."

Analyst's Take

The fight the Cowboys have shown the past couple of weeks may help McCarthy's chances of keeping his job, but it isn't going to end Dallas' postseason woes—if the team somehow sneaks into a wild-card spot, they'd all but certainly get shelled in the first round. What it is doing is costing the Cowboys draft slots, and Dallas needs draft capital to rebuild a defense that has been putrid against the run this season. -- Davenport

21. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)

Last Week: 20

Week 13 Result: Lost vs. Pittsburgh 44-38

The Cincinnati Bengals are cooked.

As has been the case so often this season, quarterback Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense held up their end of the deal Sunday—Burrow topped 300 passing yards with three touchdown passes. Cincy averaged over six yards per carry on the ground.

But the Bengals defense was non-existent. Russell Wilson carved up the Bengals secondary for over 400 yards. All told, the Bengals defense gave up 520 yards of offense and 44 points. Per Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports, the Bengals aren't just bad defensively.

They are historically bad.

"According to CBS Sports Research," he said, "this is the sixth loss where the Bengals have allowed 25 or more points this season, the fourth loss where they've allowed at least 33 points, the third with 34 points allowed and the second where they've surrendered at least 38 points. All of those are either tied for the most in NFL history or now own the record outright. Cincinnati's 27.8 points per game allowed in losses this season is also the most all time."

Analyst's Take

We can pretty much write off Cincinnati for the rest of the 2024 season. A five-game winning streak to end the season might get the Bengals into the playoffs as a 9-8 wild-card team—and a fairly forgiving schedule could make that possible. However, Cincinnati's defense has morphed into one of the NFL's worst.

Even if the Bengals win out and sneak in, they'd be hard-pressed to win a road game. Joe Burrow might be a quarterback that teams don't want to see in the postseason, but bad defense has erased any intimidation factor that this team once carried. -- Knox

20. Indianapolis Colts (6-7)

Last Week: 21

Week 13 Result: Won at New England 25-24

Shane Steichen's decision to go for the win after quarterback Anthony Richardson threw a touchdown pass to Alec Pierce on Sunday was one of those "genius or idiot" calls. If it works, you're a genius. If it fails, you're an idiot.

After Richardson made the game-winning run to get the victory, Steichen told reporters that he knew in the moment he was making the right decision.

"It was one of those deals inside 30 seconds," he said. "I felt good about the [play]call. Obviously, [you've] got to feel good about the call, but you go for the win right there in that situation. If there was a lot more time, maybe or two minutes or something, maybe take the [extra point]."

Richardson's numbers weren't great—he completed 12 of 24 passes and threw two picks. But he also threw a pair of touchdown passes in Indy's comeback win. Veteran linebacker Zaire Franklin told reporters that he's seen a lot of growth from Richardson since his benching earlier in the season.

"He's a competitor," Franklin said. "He's a leader. And I think when you've got a guy like that at the quarterback position, I think you've got a chance. So, thankfully, he's on our side."

Analyst's Take

Anthony Richardson received Shane Steichen's message loud and clear. His benching for Joe Flacco was never about giving Indianapolis the best chance to win. Richardson needed to realize that more is expected of quarterbacks at the professional level. The second-year signal-caller has responded by helping lead his squad to a pair of wins in the three games since he returned to the lineup. Richardson has been particularly good with the game on the line late in the fourth quarter. -- Sobleski

19. San Francisco 49ers (5-7)

Last Week: 19

Week 13 Result: Lost at Buffalo 35-10

For the second week in a row, the San Francisco 49ers faced what was essentially a must-win game on the road against a playoff contender. For the second week in a row, the Niners were jackstomped.

And this loss may have been the one that ended any real chance the Niners had of defending their NFC title.

It wasn't just the lopsided loss. Running back Christian McCaffrey exited Sunday's game with a PCL injury, and in his postgame presser head coach Kyle Shanahan said the injury may well have ended a 2024 season that had only just started for the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year.

"I think potentially (it's season-ending)," Shanahan said. "I think PCL is usually a couple weeks, but I'm not exactly sure yet."

Quarterback Brock Purdy expressed the frustration rippling through San Francisco's locker room.

"We all saw what he was doing, and he was on fire," Purdy said. "He looked great. Hitting the holes hard and bouncing off guys and making some real explosive plays, and that's huge. ... He's one of the best running backs in the league and you lose him like that. I think it takes away just sort of how we do some things within the offense. It sucks."

Analyst's Take

Injuries have completely derailed Christian McCaffrey's season. First, the running back suffered from bilateral Achilles tendinitis. During Sunday's contest against the Buffalo Bills, the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year seemed to have injured a PCL in his knee, which could cost him the rest of the season. Considering the Niners currently own a 5-7 record and find themselves 2.5 games behind the Washington Commanders for the NFC's seventh playoff seed, another McCaffrey malady seems to place a bow on what turned out to be a disappointing campaign. -- Sobleski

18. Atlanta Falcons (6-6)

Last Week: 16

Week 13 Result: Lost vs. Los Angeles Chargers 17-13

Remember when the Atlanta Falcons looked like easily the best team in the NFC South?

Those were good times.

Over the past few weeks, the Falcons have sprung leaks on both sides of the ball. The pass rush is non-existent. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has been bad, including a four-pick debacle in Sunday's loss to the Chargers.

Cousins freely admitted that he let the team down while speaking to the media after the game.

"I look to myself and say, 'I've got to play better,'" Cousins said. "It hurts. When you feel like your defense played winning football, feel like your special teams made big plays, felt like the run game [did] a solid job, I've got to play better."

However, wide receiver Drake London defended his quarterback.

"Everybody who's played football and especially at this level has had games like that," London said. "I feel like I just had a game like that. So, it's not all on Kirk. It can never be all on Kirk. We have to run the right routes. We have to be detailed, and we have to execute our plays."

Analyst's Take

This isn't the year for the Falcons, and it's fair to wonder if the Kirk Cousins experiment will continue beyond 2024. Atlanta may still end up winning the NFC South thanks to Tampa Bay's injuries and mid-season slump, but it has next to no chance of making a deep playoff run.

Cousins was supposed to be the missing piece that turned a good Falcons team into a title contender. He's been a streaky quarterback this season, though, and when he's off, Atlanta doesn't feel any more threatening than it did a year ago. -- Knox

17. Miami Dolphins (5-7)

Last Week: 17

Week 13 Result: Lost at Green Bay 30-17

The Miami Dolphins were hot heading into their Week 13 matchup with the Green Bay Packers—winners of three straight.

But the weather was cold in Titletown on Thursday night—and as so often happened of late, when the thermometer drops the Dolphins froze up.

The Dolphins have lost their past 12 regular-season or postseason games in which the temperature at kickoff has been below 40 degrees. Miami hasn't won a game in weather that cold since 2016.

However, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa wasn't interested in weather-based excuses while addressing reporters after the game.

"I would say, from my standpoint and our team's standpoint, we're not going to use any of that as an excuse for why we didn't get the start that we wanted," he said.

The loss leaves Miami all but out of margin for error. But the team plays just one team with a winning record the rest of the way—so all hope is not lost.

Analyst's Take

Maybe it was the cold. Maybe it was just the fact that the Packers are a really good team. But Miami was soundly outplayed in all phases in Week 13, and that puts the Dolphins' backs against the proverbial wall. Winning out would probably be enough to get the Dolphins into the postseason, and the schedule is manageable—a trip to Houston in two weeks is the hardest remaining game on paper. But given how inconsistent these Dolphins have been, peeling off five victories in a row doesn't feel especially likely. -- Davenport

16. Los Angeles Rams (6-6)

Last Week: 18

Week 13 Result: Won at New Orleans 21-14

The Los Angeles Rams keep hanging around in the NFC West.

It wasn't a stylish win. But after being handled by the Philadelphia Eagles a week ago, the Rams rode a big day running the ball from Kyren Williams and a solid effort from quarterback Matthew Stafford to a win in New Orleans that keeps the team in the thick of the playoff chase in the division at 6-6.

"We knew the second half was going to be ours," Williams told reporters. "It felt great. It felt like I was me, myself and I when I was out there playing like that. I was playing instinctive football and had great energy."

For head coach Sean McVay, it was simply a matter of doing what was needed to get a win.

"All we could do is get one win this week, and we were able to," McVay said. "There was improvement for our team collectively, and that's what I want to continue to see."

Analyst's Take

A week after falling flat against the Eagles, the Rams are right back in the thick of the NFC West race. Los Angeles struggled to put away the suddenly competitive Saints, but it continues to show that the McVay-Stafford connection is alive and well.

The Rams possess a great blend of experience and young talent. Though they probably have too many issues along the offensive line and in the defensive back seven to be serious contenders, they're good enough to make teams uncomfortable in the postseason. -- Knox

15. Arizona Cardinals (6-6)

Last Week: 14

Week 13 Result: Lost at Minnesota 23-22

This could be a game the Cardinals look back on with dread late in the season—Arizona led almost the entire game and had a 13-point lead in the second half. But Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray threw interceptions on two of Arizona's last three possessions, and the Redbirds squandered what could have been a signature win.

After the defeat, Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon told reporters the team just made far too many mistakes to defeat a team as good as Minnesota.

"We fouled too much today," Gannon said. "To have almost 100 yards in penalties, we're shooting ourselves in the foot. … It's the pre-snap penalties on offense, and we're going backward because of our own accord. We've got to get that cleaned up. That's a good football team. I thought we had chances; we just didn't close out the game."

All isn't lost in Arizona. But the Cardinals host a Seattle team next week that they trail by one game in the NFC West with a head-to-head loss.

The Redbirds need that one.

Analyst's Take

The Cardinals are a decent team, but they're missing a couple of ingredients to be a legitimate playoff contender. Arizona's middling defense is a playmaker or two away from being a top-10 unit in scoring and total yards. Secondly, quarterback Kyler Murray must work on his rapport with rookie wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. They're still too inconsistent to close games in critical moments. -- Moton

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)

Last Week: 15

Week 13 Result: Won at Carolina 26-23 (OT)

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell behind the Carolina Panthers with less than a minute left, it looked like the Bucs were headed for their fifth loss in six games.

But where the team had folded in recent weeks, this time it rallied. After a late field goal and a fumble recovery in overtime, Tampa moved into a first-place tie atop the NFC South.

After the game, Tampa head coach Todd Bowles told reporters that his team showed something with their Week 13 rally.

"The football gods were kind to us," Bowles said. "The first half of the season, we wouldn't have finished that one out. We did a heck of a job fighting back all game. It was a tough game. They played tough. We played tough. We made mistakes in the first half of the season and, this game, we pulled it out. We learned some mental toughness."

Analyst's Take

The Buccaneers lost both head-to-head games with the Falcons this year, so they still face an uphill battle in the NFC South. Right now, though, Tampa feels like the team more likely to steal the NFL's most winnable division (again).

However, this team is probably too flawed to win three postseason contests and make a trip to the Super Bowl. The defense remains suspect, and Todd Bowles continues to make at least one or two questionable decisions in every game. The Bucs are probably just good enough to get hot and knock a top contender out of the postseason before exiting themselves. -- Knox

13. Seattle Seahawks (7-5)

Last Week: 13

Week 13 Result: Won at New York Jets 26-21

The Seattle Seahawks aren't winning pretty, to be sure. Sunday in New York, Seattle barely cracked 250 yards of offense and turned it over twice, but thanks to a massive pick-six by defensive tackle Leonard Williams and a late touchdown run by Zach Charbonnet, the Seahawks outlasted a woeful Jets team to move to 7-5 and claim sole possession of first place in the NFC West.

Williams, who also had two sacks and a blocked kick, told reporters his long return for a score was something he won't soon forget.

"I remember running with it and I thought I was running fast," Williams said. "All my teammates were hyping me up, saying I was moving. Once I crossed the 50, I was actually looking to pitch it to somebody. I saw the whole cavalry running down the field. literally just laid down (in the end zone). I was exhausted."

Seattle's next game has major stakes in the NFC West—a win in Arizona next week will give Seattle a two-game lead over Arizona and could turn the division into a two-team race between the Seahawks and Rams.

Seattle's last game of the season is in Los Angeles.

Analyst's Take

The Seahawks haven't racked up style points in their three-game winning streak. In fact, over their last five games, they're averaging 18.4 points. Yet Seattle is atop of the NFC West at 7-5. The Seahawks have to clean up their execution on offense and special teams, but head coach Mike Macdonald, who piloted the Baltimore Ravens' No. 1-ranked scoring defense last year, has molded a stout unit on that side of the ball in Seattle. The Seahawks won't wow you, but their gritty defense is emblematic of their play on the field. -- Moton

12. Washington Commanders (8-5)

Last Week: 12

Week 13 Result: Won vs. Tennessee 42-19

The Commanders entered Week 13 in need of a win after dropping three straight. Apparently, all they needed was to face the Tennessee Titans, because that seemingly fixed all that ails the Commanders.

Washington did essentially anything it wanted Sunday against a Titans defense that ranked toward the top of the NFL in yards allowed. Washington amassed a staggering 267 yards on the ground, averaging almost six yards a pop on a whopping 47 carries. Quarterback Jayden Daniels had just five incompletions on 30 pass attempts, throwing three touchdown passes and running for another.

Wide receiver Terry McLaurin told reporters he was impressed all-around with the effort from his teammates.

"That was one of the best displays of complementary football we've played in a little while, and we still didn't play our cleanest," said McLaurin. "For us to do that against a really solid team just shows us what we can do if we execute at a high level and play off of one another."

We don't know how "solid" the Titans are. But in Week 13 at least, the Commanders certainly were.

Analyst's Take

Kliff Kingsbury heard the criticisms about his offensive shortcomings in the second halves of seasons and answered with a Week 13 gem. Yes, Washington beat up on a three-win team, but the Tennessee Titans allowed the second-fewest yards going into last week's games. The Commanders had no issues running the ball on the Titans' ninth-ranked run defense, racking up 267 yards and scoring three touchdowns on the ground. -- Moton

11. Denver Broncos (8-5)

Last Week: 11

Week 13 Result: Won vs. Cleveland 41-32

In the leadup to Monday's matchup in Denver, Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey gave props to a Broncos defense among the league leaders in a number of categories:

"It's obviously a really good defense. Vance (Joseph) does a great job with those guys. They're aggressive, not only in style of play, but also individuals on their team. They've got a lot of guys who can rush the passer. When you look at it, it's not just one guy, it's multiple guys, both on the outside and inside. And then Vance does a great job getting him in position to do that and creating matchups, creating opportunities for those guys. Whether it's the front variations, whether it's the different pressure variations and things like that."

That defense was carved up for a jaw-dropping 552 yards Monday night and allowed 32 points. Yet it still may have been the hero of the game, thanks to three takeaways and a pair of pick-sixes.

On a night when Bo Nix and the offense were just OK and the defense was lit up for a number of big plays, the unit still found a way to get the win.

That's what playoff teams do.

Analyst's Take

Yes, the gaudy yardage numbers against Cleveland are concerning, as is rookie quarterback Nix barely completing over half his passes and throwing two picks of his own along with a Broncos ground game that continues to be mediocre. But good teams find a way to gut out wins and overcome adversity, and the Broncos did that in Week 13. If they can get into the playoffs, that resiliency will serve them well. -- Davenport

10. Houston Texans (8-5)

Last Week: 10

Week 13 Result: Won at Jacksonville 23-20

The NFL is a results-driven business, and in that regard, all is well in Houston. The Texans are 8-5 after downing the Jaguars on Sunday. With a two-game lead over flawed teams, the AFC South is likely theirs.

While addressing the media postgame, head coach DeMeco Ryans said that right now his biggest concern is simply getting his team some rest after 13 straight weeks of action.

"Yeah, it's a win for us, a big win for us," Ryans said. "Now, we need a break. It's been a long time. ... It's 13 weeks straight now. It's been a long time and our guys, I think we felt that toward the end of the game. Our guys are gassed. The bye week is coming up at a perfect time for us."

However, the Texans have problems entering the bye. Quarterback C.J. Stroud has backslid in his second season. The team will likely be without linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair when they return to action—he's looking at a suspension after a vicious hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Those are problems for another day, though. Right now, the Texans just need a breath.

Analyst's Take

The Texans haven't quite lived up to expectations this season, though they currently lead the AFC South by two games. To be fair, preseason projections loved Houston's prospects after seeing quarterback C.J. Stroud piece together one of the best rookie seasons in NFL history. Stroud hasn't been quite as efficient this fall. The offensive line has had its issues at points. Injuries played their part as well, including wide receiver Nico Collins missing four games with a balky hamstring. But Collins is back in the lineup and once again playing like an elite wide receiver, which makes everything on offense operate at a higher level. -- Sobleski

9. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)

Last Week: 9

Week 13 Result: Won at Atlanta 17-14

The Los Angeles Chargers lost more than just a game last week against the Baltimore Ravens. With running back J.K. Dobbins on the shelf, the Bolts struggled in a big way offensively in Atlanta on Sunday to the tune of just 187 total yards and 10 first downs.

"We won because of the defense today," quarterback Justin Herbert bluntly told reporters.

That defense stepped up big-time in Week 13. The Chargers intercepted Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins four times, returning one for a score.

It might not have been the prettiest one, but head coach Jim Harbaugh said he sees a group where one unit picks up the slack when another falters. He sees a team.

"What a beautiful thing we are all witnessing," Harbaugh said. "It's players, it's coaches, it's the personnel department, it's ownership. It's an entire organization coming together."

We'll find out soon enough how good the Dobbins-less Chargers are—they head to Arrowhead to face the AFC West-leading Chiefs in Week 14.

Analyst's Take

The Chargers took advantage of some huge Atlanta mistakes to snag a win in Week 13, but I'm not sure how sustainable their formula is. Aside from getting four relatively easy interceptions, L.A.'s defense didn't look great against the Falcons, and it wasn't good in its previous two games either.

And with J.K. Dobbins (knee) on injured reserve, the Chargers offense looked flat-out bad against Atlanta. Ladd McConkey is quickly developing into a star receiver, but L.A. needs more than one offensive playmaker to be a serious playoff threat. -- Knox

8. Baltimore Ravens (8-5)

Last Week: 7

Week 13 Result: Lost vs. Philadelphia 24-19

What the Tuck(er) is going on?

For years, Justin Tucker was the most reliable kicker in the NFL. Inside 60 yards, he was effectively automatic.

This year has been far different. Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, Tucker missed two field goals and an extra point—misses that arguably cost the team a close game. While speaking to reporters after the game, Tucker admitted that his struggles are costing his team.

"I feel like I cost us this one, but it doesn't really do anybody any good to dwell on it," Tucker said. "The only thing that we can do—that I can do—is just continue to work, move forward, take it one kick at a time. I hate that I've had to have this same conversation over the course of this season, but that's something that comes with the territory in this job description. The kicks are either good or they're not, and today, I did not do a good enough job to help our team win the football game."

For his part, head coach John Harbaugh said that the team stands behind its struggling kicker.

"If you're asking me, 'Are we going to move on from Justin Tucker?' I'm not really planning on doing that right now," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "I don't think that'd be wise."

Analyst's Take

Imagine if Justin Tucker continued to play at the same level that will eventually make him a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee. The Ravens would be even more difficult to handle. Unfortunately, he hasn't been. Tucker missed three kicks Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. His 10 misses lead the league. His 73.9 field goal conversion rate on field-goal attempts ranks fourth-worst. The Ravens have legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. Without a semi-reliable kicker, those dreams will quickly fade, which is sad to see from an all-time great. -- Sobleski

7. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)

Last Week: 6

Week 13 Result: Won at Cincinnati 44-38

The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't often mentioned in the same breath as the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs as an AFC powerhouse.

It's time for that to change.

Pittsburgh exploded offensively Sunday in Cincinnati to the tune of 44 points and 520 yards of offense. Quarterback Russell Wilson had his best game in years, throwing for 414 yards and three scores.

After the shootout win, Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin talked up his veteran quarterback and the resiliency of his team while speaking to the media.

"I thought our group smiled in the face of it, particularly (Wilson)," Tomlin said. "It's the first time for him going through AFC North football, and I thought he acclimated himself to it well today. He put himself squarely in the history of this series with that performance today."

Pittsburgh has won six of seven heading into next week's rematch with the Browns, but after that comes an opportunity to show just how good the Steelers truly are—three straight against Super Bowl contenders, including trips to Baltimore and Philadelphia and a home date with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Analyst's Take

Sunday's offensive outburst against the Bengals is exactly what the Steelers were hoping to see when they made the switch to Russell Wilson at quarterback. It came against a bad Bengals defense, but it does show that Pittsburgh is capable of racking up points when things are clicking.

Though Pittsburgh fell flat against Cleveland last week, it remains in the driver's seat of the AFC North. The question is whether the Steelers can maintain enough offensive momentum—and tighten up a defense that surrendered 38 points to the Bengals—to stay in front of the Ravens for five more weeks. -- Knox

6. Green Bay Packers (9-3)

Last Week: 8

Week 13 Result: Won vs. Miami 30-17

It's been drowned out by the success of the Detroit Lions, but there's a lot of good football being played in the NFC North—including by the Green Bay Packers.

Thursday night's game against the Dolphins was never really in doubt, as the Packers led 24-3 at halftime and played an efficient game on both sides of the ball. While addressing the media after the victory, quarterback Jordan Love said winning in front of a boisterous Lambeau Field crowd on Thanksgiving was tasty.

"To be able to come in here, get the win, get the turkey leg after, it was very delicious," said Love. "Just a little something to celebrate."

Safety Xavier McKinney lauded the team's preparation and execution on a short week.

"I thought we played well for it being a short week," McKinney said. "I thought we came out there and had the right mindset. And we started fast, and that was the key to today's win."

The Packers will get a full week to prepare now, and they'd best make good use of it—next week's trip to Ford Field to face the surging Lions is critical if Green Bay has any hope of winning the NFC North.

Analyst's Take

When the Packers play like they did in Week 13, they are capable of beating anyone—including the Lions. Love completed three-quarters of his passes. The Packers averaged 4.6 yards per carry on the ground. Green Bay's defense sacked Tua Tagovailoa five times and allowed just four third-down conversions in 14 attempts. If the Pack plays like that in Detroit this week, Green Bay has a shot to end Detroit's winning streak and stake a claim as a legitimate Super Bowl contender in the NFC. -- Davenport

5. Minnesota Vikings (10-2)

Last Week: 5

Week 13 Result: Won vs. Arizona 23-22

The Minnesota Vikings like to keep things interesting, apparently.

Last week, the Vikings needed overtime to get past the Chicago Bears. Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, the Vikes didn't lead until scoring the go-ahead touchdown with just over a minute left to play.

At 10-2, this is far and away the most successful season of Sam Darnold's career. After the win, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters that he has the utmost confidence in his quarterback and the team around him.

"He's been a huge driving force behind us winning games," O'Connell said. "My confidence level in Sam is sky high to play the game however we need to play it. We continue to learn things about our team that will pay a lot of dividends moving forward. Not once did anybody on the team flinch and we did what we had to do to get the win."

Minnesota will be favored in their next two games at home, but the stretch run is a tough one—at Seattle, home against the Green Bay Packers and then what could be a huge Week 18 showdown with the 11-1 Lions in Detroit.

Analyst's Take

The Vikings must be proactive in their problem-solving before the playoffs. Running back Aaron Jones has a ball-security issue, having lost three fumbles (two) over the last three weeks. Minnesota has done a good job with its commitment to the ground game, minimizing the number of times turnover-prone Sam Darnold has to throw downfield, but Cam Akers and Ty Chandler should be more involved in the Vikings' run game. -- Moton

4. Philadelphia Eagles (10-2)

Last Week: 4

Week 13 Result: Won at Baltimore 24-19

The Philadelphia Eagles are rolling.

After Sunday's win over the Baltimore Ravens, the Eagles are undefeated since their Week 5 bye. And while running back Saquon Barkley, quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver A.J. Brown lead a potent offense, it's the Philly defense that is the story of 2024.

Last season, the Eagles defense was a liability, especially against the pass. This year, the Eagles lead the league in total defense, and after holding the NFL's top offense in check one of that defense's newcomers in 2024 told reporters that Philly is ready to get in the ring with any team in the NFL.

"Yeah, our identity is (being) physical," linebacker Zack Baun told reporters. "And if you're going to challenge that, then we're going to show up and be more physical. I think a lot of guys on this defense and this team have been underdogs for a long time, having a chip on their shoulder. I know I have, and I know Nakobe (Dean) has, and a lot of these linebackers also. And just playing aggressive. We want to grind on teams, and we want to wear them out and that's what we did."

Analyst's Take

Kudos to Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who may be in line for a second AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year award. A year ago, Philadelphia fielded a bottom-10 defense. The team fired Sean Desai and brought in Fangio. Currently, the Eagles rank No. 1 overall in total defense. Philadelphia did a better job than any team so far this season bottling up the Baltimore Ravens. Overall, Philly has won eight straight games, with a defense that's now the team's catalyst. -- Sobleski

3. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1)

Last Week: 2

Week 13 Result: Won vs. Las Vegas 19-17

They certainly aren't tallying up the style points doing it, but the Chiefs keep piling up wins.

Friday's win over the Raiders was a game in which the Chiefs were outgained by over 100 yards. The Raiders gained two full yards per play more than Kansas City, and were it not for a botched snap late, the Chiefs may well have suffered a second defeat for the season.

After the win, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes acknowledged to reporters that the Chiefs need to play better, while simultaneously applauding his team for finding a way to get the win.

"I mean, we just hold ourselves to such a high standard. We don't feel like we're playing our best football," Mahomes said. "We have to find a way to build up to play great (as) a full, entire team. It's awesome that we're finding ways to get wins. That's what you're going for. But our goal is to get to the Super Bowl."

Analyst's Take

The Chiefs have narrowly escaped defeat multiple times this season. In Week 1, Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely couldn't fit his toe in bounds. Linebacker Leo Chenal blocked a field goal to help Kansas City secure a 16-14 victory over the Denver Broncos. The Raiders botched the timing of a snap, which resulted in a turnover on the final drive of this year's Black Friday game. If the Chiefs don't improve their play down the stretch, the team's fortunes will inevitably take an unfavorable turn. They cannot continue to flirt with defeat and expect to win every game in the playoffs. -- Moton

2. Buffalo Bills (10-2)

Last Week: 3

Week 13 Result: Won vs. San Francisco 35-10

The Buffalo Bills are champions of the AFC East—again.

After waxing the San Francisco 49ers in the snow Sunday night, the Bills wrapped up their division on the first weekend of December. Buffalo isn't the No. 1 seed in the AFC (yet), but they are the only team in the league that has beaten the Kansas City Chiefs.

Now that the Bills can shift their focus from winning the division to securing the AFC's top seed, quarterback Josh Allen told reporters Buffalo is free to just let it rip and play at a whole new level.

"It's a good feeling. This one feels a little bit different this early in the season," Allen said. "It's going to be fun, I mean, to go out there and play free and play relaxed and play loose. I think that could be a dangerous team."

The thought that the Bills might have a whole other gear in them should terrify the rest of the AFC—the Chiefs included.

Analyst's Take

It's beginning to look a lot like Josh Allen is the MVP…everywhere you go. Take a look in Highmark Stadium, snowing once again with broken tables and happy fans aglow.

Sunday's effort against the San Francisco 49ers showed exactly why Allen is at the forefront of the conversation for the league's best player. The near-whiteout conditions were less than optimal. Yet, as always, the quarterback made the necessary plays, even untraditional ones, in helping lead his team to victory and yet another AFC East title.

Because the prettiest site you'll see is the lateral that will be at the goal line's front door. -- Sobleski

1. Detroit Lions (11-1)

Last Week: 1

Week 13 Result: Won vs. Chicago 23-20

This may well be the best Detroit Lions team in franchise history. In terms of record, they are—no Lions team has ever started a season 11-1, and that's where the 2024 squad sits after outlasting the Bears on Thanksgiving for their 10th straight win.

It was Detroit's first Thanksgiving win since 2016, but it wasn't without bumps in the road, whether it was more injuries on defense or letting Chicago back in the game after jumping out to a 16-0 lead at halftime. Still, head coach Dan Campbell told reporters after the victory that he'll take a W any way he can get it.

"Look, I told the team, 'If you're not careful, you start grading your own wins.' And it's good because you have these standards and the way you think you should play by your own standards, by what you have. It has nothing to do with the opponent," Campbell said. "It's just you know yourselves and you know what you're capable of and so, if you're not careful, you start going too far down that thing then you start taking wins for granted and ultimately, that's a good win."

Analyst's Take

The Lions are as hot as any team in the league and have to be considered one of the favorites to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LIX. But there's a potential problem brewing that could derail Detroit's Super Bowl aspirations—injuries.

Edge-rusher Josh Paschal and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez joined an already-long-list of Lions defenders on the shelf, and while it didn't prevent a win on Turkey Day and the Lions are making moves to bring in reinforcements, it's fair to wonder if a depleted defense could become a major problem come the playoffs. -- Davenport